Why Procurement Is the Next Frontier in Local Government Innovation

For decades, local governments have focused their innovation efforts on service delivery, community engagement, and infrastructure modernization. But there’s a massive, often-overlooked area that’s ripe for transformation…procurement. Do not lose your will to live after reading that word, trust me, it is the next great frontier in local government innovation, and it is long overdue for disruption.

Procurement isn’t glamorous. It doesn’t grab headlines like smart cities, green initiatives, or cutting-edge public safety technology. But procurement touches EVERYTHING. It decides how taxpayer dollars are spent, how quickly projects get off the ground, and how effectively local governments can respond to the evolving needs of their communities. Yet, the systems many local governments rely on are sluggish, outdated, and, frankly, uninspired.

Procurement in local government has traditionally been bogged down by bureaucracy, red tape, and outdated systems that prioritize process over progress. The result? Slow project rollouts, bloated costs, and innovation stifled by compliance checklists. Vendors navigate mazes of paperwork, small and local businesses struggle to compete with larger firms, and public servants are left frustrated by a system that should enable them but instead holds them back.

This isn’t just inefficient, it’s dangerous. In a world that demands agility, resilience, and responsiveness, governments can’t afford to let their procurement systems drag them down. The old model of procurement simply isn’t built for the complexity and speed required in today’s world.

It’s time to stop viewing procurement as a back-office function and start recognizing it as one of the most powerful strategic levers in local government. Procurement has the potential to drive innovation, support local economies, and improve outcomes for communities.Imagine a procurement system designed to encourage competition while cutting through bureaucracy. A system that rewards innovation, not just the lowest bid. A system that allows local governments to partner with mission-driven startups, small businesses, and diverse suppliers, injecting fresh ideas and new energy into public projects.

This isn’t a pipe dream. It’s possible, and some forward-thinking leaders are already making it happen.

The need for procurement reform has never been more urgent. Local governments are being asked to do more with less, navigating tighter budgets, rising costs, and growing expectations. Communities demand faster, smarter, and more equitable solutions. Yet, the procurement process remains stuck in the past, acting as a bottleneck rather than a catalyst.

The public sector must learn to move with the same agility as the private sector. This doesn’t mean abandoning accountability or oversight; it means reimagining how we achieve those goals. It means building procurement systems that are transparent, efficient, and designed to deliver value, not just compliance.

Innovation in procurement isn’t just a theory…it’s being built. Platforms like the Civic Marketplace are stepping in to bridge the gap between government needs and market solutions. By streamlining procurement and creating a space where governments and vendors can connect with ease, the Civic Marketplace is removing the friction that has long stalled progress.

This kind of solution isn’t just about technology. It’s about a shift in mindset. It’s about recognizing that procurement should be proactive, not reactive. Strategic, not procedural. Governments need platforms that foster relationships with innovative suppliers, small businesses, and local entrepreneurs, unlocking new pathways to solve old problems.

Transforming procurement isn’t just about speeding up purchases. It’s about creating long-term value for communities. It’s about unlocking economic growth by giving small businesses and startups a fair shot at public contracts. It’s about ensuring that governments can pivot quickly during crises, deploy resources efficiently, and invest in solutions that deliver real impact. 

It’s about enabling collaboration by local governments to come together to drive efficiency and effectiveness gains, especially for smaller entities like mine - to get the volume discounts of the biggest agencies - our residents deserve that! 

This shift in procurement will also drive internal innovation. Public employees will spend less time bogged down in process and more time focused on strategy, performance, and results. It will attract top talent, people who want to work in government because they see it as a place where innovation thrives, not where ideas go to die.

Local government leaders need to ask themselves a tough question: Is our procurement process enabling innovation, or is it killing it? If the answer is the latter, it’s time to act. It’s time to challenge legacy systems, modernize processes, and demand tools that match the urgency and complexity of today’s challenges.

Procurement can no longer be treated as an administrative chore. It must become a strategic powerhouse that drives local government forward.

The future of public sector innovation doesn’t start with flashy pilot programs or the latest tech gadget. It starts with rethinking the foundations, and procurement is the bedrock. The governments that embrace this shift will be the ones that build resilient, adaptable, and thriving communities.

It’s time to stop treating procurement as an afterthought and start seeing it for what it truly is…the next great frontier for innovation in local government.

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About the author

Brooks Williams has served as City Manager of Ferris, Texas, since October 2019, bringing nearly two decades of management experience. Under his leadership, Ferris improved employee turnover, ended budget deficits, quadrupled its fund balance, and earned near-perfect audits—raising the city’s bond rating to AA-. He oversaw the largest economic expansion in Ferris’s 150-year history, strengthening quality of life and economic vitality. Passionate about government innovation, Brooks also leads the Quality Texas Foundation Regional Program, advancing performance excellence through the Baldrige Criteria. Formerly Chief Quality Officer for the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, he helped achieve top academic and financial performance. Brooks authored Rising to Serve: Reimagining Public Administration for a New Era (2024). He holds an MPA from Liberty University and is pursuing a doctorate in Public Administration, underscoring his commitment to public service excellence. Certified in Lean Six Sigma, Brooks consistently fosters high-performing, responsive government and robust organizational excellence across diverse sectors.